Laurencekirk RBS to close

Laurencekirk’s Royal Bank of Scotland branch is to close in November of this year it has been revealed this week.

RBS confirmed the closure of the Brechin and Laurencekirk branches, with both branches to close on November 4.

The news follows an agreement between RBS with the local Post Office, that will allow customers to check their balance, deposit and withdraw funds, and business customers can get coinage.

The news follows an agreement between RBS with the local Post Office, that will allow customers to check their balance, deposit and withdraw funds, and business customers can get coinage.

An RBS spokesperson also confirmed that a mobile branch service would be introduced to the community, and that they “will be engaging with our customers and the local community to understand the best day and time for the mobile branch to visit”.

RBS added there was two free ATMs withing half a mile of the branch.

In outlining their decision to close the Laurencekirk branch, RBS highlighted a 24 per cent drop in transaction since 2011, and only 40 customers use the branch on a regular, weekly basis. Of those 40 customers, 14 already use other branches in the area.

The spokesperson said: “We are committed to following the UK Government protocol on branch closures, and we have made the decision following careful consideration of a wide range of factors including branch usage and the alternative ways our customers can bank with us locally. “

“Our customers are increasingly using alternative ways to bank with them such as online and mobile banking. As a result, branch transactions have declined by around 36 per cent since 2010 whilst online and mobile transactions have grown by more than 300 per cent. Only nine per cent of their total transactions are now undertaken in branches in comparison to 25 per cent in 2010. “

We are writing to all of our customers who use the branches, as well as displaying posters in branch to let them know of the closure. Between now and the closure date, we will engage with all of our customers, local businesses and the wider local community to make sure they are aware of the alternative ways of accessing their banking with us in the local area, and to answer any questions they might have.”